URC Round 18

First topic message reminder :

Friday
Stormers v Bennetton
Ulster v Edinburgh

Saturday
Lions v Zebre

Bulls v Leinster
Dragons v Scarlets

Sharks v Munster
Ospreys v Cardiff

Glasgow v Connacht

Yes, completely speculating - could mean anything from bullying to treatment during the recent contract negotiations, etc.  It's been an extremely tough time for everyone at the regions lately.  Trying to cut back to within the cap of the new budget while having to honour existing contracts and still maintain a suitably sized squad to allow for injuries, etc........ must be a nightmare for the players, coaches, DoR (Young), senior management, etc.  I imagine there have been some very tough conversations.

I would guess and it’s not based on anything, but if the WRU are under investigation for things, maybe Dai is in the same boat??

WTF happened to leinster? i assume its their 3rds?

Dragons were quality today, fair play. Although it is frustrating that we don't do that more often.

Fifita should've seen red and not yellow though.

Quarter Finals set
Leinster v Sharks
Ulster v Connacht
Stormers v Bulls
Glasgow v Munster

Cardiff win the Welsh pool and so will replace Sharks in next years Champions Cup unless of course Sharks go on to win URC

TJ wrote:WTF happened to leinster?  i assume its their 3rds?

Yes.

Judgement Day didn’t go as I expected. I did think Scarlets were there for the taking as they made a few changes, thought we could edge it but it was very convincing in the end. Both games seemingly lost on the collisions, where two teams of forwards didn’t seem to turn up. Ospreys in particular always struggle against teams playing a fast tempo, they shouldn’t really with the set of forwards they have.

Its been one of the best URC/Celtic league campaigns in memory, up there with the year the Ospreys won. All the same teams as last years quarters with just Connacht replacing Edinburgh this time.

Great to see Munster flying again and loving the challenge the SA sides bring, just a shame the Leinster game was so one sided and not a good look for us.

I sense there could be come upsets in the Playoffs but no clue where.

I really do think Leinster's heavy schedule could be the unmaking of them. I still see them winning a trophy but at this stage that could be Europe or the URC. I don't think they will win both.

Leinster have two teams, I think they'll be fine. They can be KO'd in a one-off game, depends if the opposition plays better on the day.

Wilco Louw will join the Bulls next season. I know they don't often travel well, but surely it's the most powerful pack in the league, possibly in the Euro comp as well.

Welsh sides going to have a long off season unless the Scarlets win next weekend. Basically no competitive rugby at regional rugby till September and nothing from May onwards. At least 4 months will be good for player welfare.

I'm hearing the URC doesn't start till the first weekend in October, so make that 5 months.

Welshmushroom wrote:I sense there could be come upsets in the Playoffs but no clue where.  

I really do think Leinster's heavy schedule could be the unmaking of them.  I still see them winning a trophy but at this stage that could be Europe or the URC.  I don't think they will win both.

Probably right, it will be tough enough to win just one.

Apart from the Leinster game maybe I could see any of the other 5-8 teams winning in the quarters

Munster, Connacht and Bulls are all capable of producing big performances and none of Ulster, Glasgow or Stormers look infalable.

Certainly a very interesting quarter final line up

Am I right in saying if Leinster beat the Sharks in the quarters Connacht qualify for the champions cup and all four Irish sides will be in.

Not if Benetton or Scarlets win the Challenge Cup they don't.
In that case they not Connacht get the Heineken Cup place.
In fact if Sharks with URC and one of those two win the Challenge Cup Bulls would be out as well

Only the Top 5 would qualify through the league.

geoff999rugby wrote:Not if Benetton or Scarlets win the Challenge Cup they don't.
In that case they not Connacht get the Heineken  Cup place.
In fact if Sharks with URC and one of those two win the Challenge Cup Bulls would be out as well

Only the Top 5 would qualify through the league.

Nice one Geoff, thats some good info. Hard to find the qualification rules.

Imagine the Bulls were out, there would only be one SA side in the champions cup.

Collapse2005 wrote:

geoff999rugby wrote:Not if Benetton or Scarlets win the Challenge Cup they don't.
In that case they not Connacht get the Heineken  Cup place.
In fact if Sharks with URC and one of those two win the Challenge Cup Bulls would be out as well

Only the Top 5 would qualify through the league.

Nice one Geoff, thats some good info. Hard to find the qualification rules.

Imagine the Bulls were out, there would only be one SA side in the champions cup.

To put Bulls out, Sharks would have to have won the URC and taken a HCup place, so still 2 SA sides.

Kingshu wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:

geoff999rugby wrote:Not if Benetton or Scarlets win the Challenge Cup they don't.
In that case they not Connacht get the Heineken  Cup place.
In fact if Sharks with URC and one of those two win the Challenge Cup Bulls would be out as well

Only the Top 5 would qualify through the league.

Nice one Geoff, thats some good info. Hard to find the qualification rules.

Imagine the Bulls were out, there would only be one SA side in the champions cup.

To put Bulls out, Sharks would have to have won the URC and taken a HCup place, so still 2 SA sides.

Youre right ha, my head is wrecked.

Though if connacht win the URC and Scarlets or Benneton the challenge cup then the Bulls would be out I think.

Well given Toulon and Glasgow made the final it seems likely all four Irish teams will be in next years champions cup. Leinster just need to beat Sharks.

The Sharks not making the champions cup is a big blow to SA rugby.